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There was plenty to talk about during the dramatic Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Both sides took the lead in a great game but ultimately we head to Munich next week needing a win to advance.
After the game, Mikel Arteta was asked about his team’s performance, goals conceded, the state of the game and what he thought of the eventual penalty decision.
This is the transcript of his post-match press conference…
Regarding the final penalty appeal…
I haven’t seen it yet, the decision has been made and we have to focus on other aspects that we can control and we can do better tonight.
On whether Bukayo Saka can finally find his footing…
I haven’t seen the picture yet and it’s easy for me to tell from afar, but I’ll review it.
On Bayern Munich’s confidence from the first leg to the second leg…
I thought we started the game really well, we were dominant in the opponent’s half, we generated some momentum and scored the first goal and then it was a crucial moment of the game with Ben White in front of Manuel Neuer. Two goals to nil, we have to put the ball in the back of the net and it becomes a different moment, and then in the Champions League you can’t give the opponent anything. We gave them two goals today and when you get into situations like this, they punish you. In this game the gap was really small and it’s really difficult to penetrate the opponent and create quality chances against this level of opposition and make sure you don’t give them anything but I think the team showed A lot of calmness, especially at 2-1, because you can throw away your toys, create a lot of space for the opponent, and lose the tie in 20 minutes. We’re not there yet and I think the substitutes have had a huge impact, the way they’re on the pitch, their body language, their attitude, their initiative to make things happen has had a big impact on the team.
Conceding two goals recently after a positive defensive performance…
It happens, maybe it’s happened before, you don’t get punished, but that’s the level of play against this type of player, this type of opponent, especially when they have space to punish you and we’ve made them run a few times and it’s Something we must do better on the return trip.
On Harry Kane’s challenge to Gabriel…
I didn’t see it again, the referee had made his decision and that was that.
On to the positives from tonight’s substitutes…
Of course when you bring two or three players like we did, Alex immediately changed things at halftime and then Leo and Gabi and then Thomas because the game got a little bit chaotic and It’s a big danger to lose it. I thought they both had a big impact tonight.
On the momentum shift caused by inexperience in this game…
I don’t know, but obviously it created some insecurity in the team because we gave them something they had to win and then you start defending the open space and they have a huge ability to hurt you there, but then we responded well and we never do not give up. Thanks again to everyone for creating the atmosphere. This is unbelievable. We went to Munich again.
Lessons learned from our team’s participation in the Champions League…
Yes, that’s the experience, they did it very well and there were moments in the game that were very decisive, especially in the Champions League and we’ve seen a clear example of that.
On Saka’s reaction to the penalty not being awarded…
I was already looking at another goal because we were playing with ten men and the game wasn’t over yet, so I was more worried about that than his reaction.
On whether he sympathizes with Ban…
Yes, that’s how you would react if he believed it was a penalty.
On the mood in the dressing room after tonight’s draw…
Yeah, obviously, in a way, we’re alive and we’ve done what we have to do when the game gets really difficult for us, but we also understand that we have to be on top of certain aspects of the game Only by improving your level can you make greater progress. Better and have a real chance of winning the game.
On managing a team without much Champions League experience…
Well, I think we made some mistakes today and the next time this happens, there will be less mistakes today, okay, but let’s learn from it and let’s support those incredible players, This is part of football.
On the positives to be gained from the results…
Yes, you have to feel it on the pitch, match status will tell you and give you a lot of information, what the conditions of the match are like, increase the risk level, put more players forward or do some things outside of the match The thing, when it’s in a certain position, to be careful about, I think the game after scoring, passing three, four or five balls in a row and allowing for some transition, it’s not going to win the game. If we make some mistakes, we are closer to losing it.
On whether he was proud of the players’ reaction after going 2-1 down…
I’m very proud and now I feel the belief there that we’re going to go to Munich and have a chance to win and we’re going to be better in certain areas and that’s the way we’re ready.
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